Tata Small Cap Fund which is under the management of Tata Asset Management has beaten its benchmark, the S&P BSE Small Cap index, over the last five years. The fund has been able to generate superior returns for its investors by investing in a portfolio of small-cap stocks that have the potential for long-term growth.
In this blog, we will explore factors that have contributed to the fund’s success.
Overview of Tata Small Cap Fund
Tata Small Cap Fund is an open-ended equity fund with an investment objective of investing exclusively in small-cap stocks.
The fund aims to capitalize on the growth potential of companies with market caps below ₹5,000 crore. These companies have lower market capitalizations than the large-cap and mid-cap companies.
Small-cap stocks are stocks of companies with a small market capitalization and good growth potential but higher risk, making them a double-edged sword in investment strategies.
In the last 5 years, Tata Small Cap Fund has significantly outperformed its benchmark. The Tata Small Cap Fund has given a return of 248.14% for the past 5 years whereas the Benchmark Return was 217.18%.
It has outperformed the benchmark index by 30 percentage points over the last 5 years. The fund has delivered returns of 30.59% since inception and its last 1-year returns were 50.67%.
Factors Contributing to Outperformance
Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to the success of Tata Mutual Funds:
Strong Investment Process
The Tata Small Cap Fund has a clear investment proposition and follows a rigorous investment process to select small-cap stocks with strong economic values and high growth prospects.
The fund managers employ both qualitative and quantitative criteria in assessing the companies by examining factors such as financial records, industry trends, and management quality.
Active Stock Selection
Rather than using a passive indexing strategy, the fund managers actively choose the stocks for the portfolio. Because of this, they can recognize and invest in companies that are trading substantially below their intrinsic value.
Focus on Quality
Small-cap stocks have inherent volatility but they possess the attraction of high returns. This is avoided by the fund by focusing on quality companies with strong balance sheets, well-established earnings, and good management. This focus on quality acts as a buffer during market downturns.
Diversified Portfolio
Though the fund mainly specializes in small-cap stocks, it’s still diverse across various sectors and market capitalizations. This diversification helps in mitigating the risks and offers exposure to a broader range of opportunities.
Experienced Fund Management
The fund’s management team is composed of experienced professionals in the small-cap segment. Their in-depth knowledge of market dynamics and knack for spotting new trends have played a crucial role in the fund’s success.
Long-Term Investment Horizon
The fund managers adopt a long-term strategy for investing, letting their capital grow and reach its maximum potential. The portfolio is protected from the short-term volatility that frequently strikes small-cap stocks by adopting this disciplined strategy.
Emphasis on Risk Management
While pursuing high growth, the fund also maintains a strict focus on risk management. This involves setting investment limits, conducting regular portfolio reviews, and maintaining adequate liquidity.
Conclusion
The Tata Small Cap Fund’s ability to outperform its benchmark over the last 5 years demonstrated the efficiency of its investment strategy. Tata Small Cap Fund is a well-managed fund that has the potential to generate long-term growth for its investors.
This fund is an attractive choice for investors looking for growth prospects in small-cap companies. However, it is crucial to remember that small-cap investments inherently carry higher risks compared to large-cap investments.